Rabbi Krinsky Finds a Farewell Gift Before Meeting UAE Shluchim

By COLlive reporter

The Chabad Shluchim serving in the United Arab Emirates drew much-needed inspiration this past weekend following the savage murder of their colleague by Islamic terrorists.

The young rabbis were welcomed with love at the International Kinus Hashluchim, the annual convention of Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis, which was held in New York and New Jersey over the last few days.

Rabbis Levi Duchman, Mendel Duchman, Mendy Blau, Tzemach Gansburg, Yehuda Marosow, and Mendel Stolik were approached by many with words of encouragement and support following the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, HY”D.

Rabbi Kogan, 28, worked alongside them at Chabad of the UAE to serve the growing Jewish communities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He personally assisted many visitors flocking to the Gulf State since the Abraham Accords peace deal.

He was reported missing on Thursday, November 21, 2024, and his body was found on Sunday, November 24. He had been abducted and killed by terrorists, three of whom are now in custody.

As his fellow Shluchim prepared to return to their communities in the Emirates, a private farewell reception was held for them at the home of Rabbi Sholom and Feige Duchman in Crown Heights. They are the parents of Rabbis Levi and Mendel Duchman of the UAE.

Speaking at the small event was Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, who served as the Rebbe’s Mazkir and as the Chairman of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch and Machne Israel, Chabad’s educational and social services organizations.

He was one of the Shluchim that the Rebbe sent to the holy land of Israel to uplift the residents of the Kfar Chabad village after the terror attack that killed a teacher and students in 1956.

Speaking to the UAE Shluchim, Rabbi Krinsky offered words of encouragement. He stated that while what happened was unexplainable in spiritual terms, everything must be done so “this should never happen again.”

“Go back to your place of Shlichus with much strength,” he told the Shluchim, who sat silently around the table with others hovering nearby to hear his soft-spoken remarks.

Rabbi Krinsky handed each UAE Shliach (including one to Rabbi Shimon Frankel, who was absent) a coin from the Rebbe that was minted in honor of Lag BaOmer 5751 (1991).

And if that wasn’t special enough, Rabbi Krinsky surprised them with another gift—a half-dollar coin given by the Rebbe on Chanukah 5751 (1990).

He said that he had found these coins in his archives just hours earlier and thought the timing was b’hashgacha protis (Divine Providence).

He also gave a coin to Rabbi Shlomy Peles in gratitude for his tireless efforts to provide support to Chabad in the UAE and around the world.

“May it be venahapoch hu—that things should turn around. There should be good for you and your families,” Rabbi Krinsky said, adding a blessing that things should be good for the Emirates as well.

He added, “As they say here in America—keep your chin up and do it b’simcha (with pure joy).”

Among those in attendance were California’s Head Shliach Rabbi Shlomo Cunin; Rabbi Dovid Refoel Banon, Dayan of the Lubavitch & Kehila Sepharadi of Montreal, Canada; Chief Rabbi and Head Shliach to Central Africa, Rabbi Shlomo Bentolila; Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, Shliach and Rabbi of the Ashkenazi Jewish community of Turkey and chairman of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States.

Attending from the New York area were Rabbi Gad Bouskila, rabbi of the Moroccan Congregation Netivot Yisrael in Brooklyn, New York; Rabbi Gedalia Shemtov, Director of the Shluchim Office; and Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Director of Merkos 302 and the International Kinus Hashluchim; Deputy Inspector Thomas Smith, Commanding Officer of the NYPD 71st Precinct.

Participants, many of them Shluchim as well as supporters from Crown Heights and New York, wished the Shluchim safe travels back to the Emirates and pledged to continue supporting their holy service for the Jewish people.

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